Patents by Inventor Connie E. Bird

Connie E. Bird has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9321238
    Abstract: An armor panel includes a multiple of pins which penetrate a first skin, a high molecular weight polyethylene fiber composite material layer and a second skin which integrates ballistic protection into load bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Connie E. Bird, Alan R. Goodworth, Thomas A. Carstensen, Gary Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9303709
    Abstract: A shock damper is disclosed. The shock damper may have a variable shear control apparatus through which a shear-thickening fluid may flow. In this manner, the shock damper may compress at different rates for different applied impulse forces, in response to the changing viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GGODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Enrico Manes, Connie E. Bird, Louis Chiappetta, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160040740
    Abstract: A shock damper is disclosed. The shock damper may have a variable shear control apparatus through which a shear-thickening fluid may flow. In this manner, the shock damper may compress at different rates for different applied impulse forces, in response to the changing viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Enrico Manes, Connie E. Bird, Louis Chiappetta, JR.
  • Patent number: 9103633
    Abstract: An armor system with a lightweight armored panel manufactured as a multi-material structure having a multiple of layers including a hard ballistic material layer of a Ceramic/CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite) hybrid armor material capable of defeating ballistic threats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Holowczak, Connie E. Bird
  • Patent number: 9097496
    Abstract: An armor system with a lightweight armored panel manufactured as a multi-material structure having a multiple of layers including a hard ballistic material layer of a Ceramic/CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite) hybrid armor material capable of defeating ballistic threats. The monolithic ceramic layer includes a surface enhancement to the expected projectile impact face of a minimal weight yet which provides significant ballistic performance improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Connie E. Bird, John E. Holowczak
  • Patent number: 8931390
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a ballistic protection material includes a strike face layer having a first thickness. The strike face layer is configured to distort an outer surface on a projectile that contacts the strike face layer. A ballistic layer is configured to hinder continued movement of a projectile that has passed through the strike face layer. A spacer layer is situated between the strike face layer and the ballistic layer. The spacer layer has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The second thickness of the spacer layer provides a selected distance between the strike face layer and the ballistic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: Connie E. Bird
  • Patent number: 8869673
    Abstract: An armor system which integrates ballistic protection into load bearing structure. Each armored panel is manufactured as a sandwich structure having a multiple of layers including a hard ballistic material layer of a Ceramic/CMC hybrid armor material capable of defeating high velocity Armor Piercing projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Townsend, Thomas A. Carstensen, Connie E. Bird, John E. Holowczak
  • Publication number: 20130340602
    Abstract: An armor system with a lightweight armored panel manufactured as a multi-material structure having a multiple of layers including a hard ballistic material layer of a Ceramic/CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite) hybrid armor material capable of defeating ballistic threats. The monolithic ceramic layer includes a surface enhancement to the expected projectile impact face of a minimal weight yet which provides significant ballistic performance improvement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Connie E. Bird, John E. Holowczak
  • Publication number: 20130340601
    Abstract: An armor system which integrates ballistic protection into load bearing structure. Each armored panel is manufactured as a sandwich structure having a multiple of layers including a hard ballistic material layer of a Ceramic/CMC hybrid armor material capable of defeating high velocity Armor Piercing projectiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: William A. Townsend, Thomas A. Carstensen, Connie E. Bird
  • Publication number: 20130302716
    Abstract: An example interconnector of a fuel cell repeater unit includes a dimpled interconnector of a fuel cell repeater unit. The dimpled interconnector establishes at least a portion of an interconnector flow path operative to communicate airflow through the fuel cell repeater unit, the dimpled interconnector having a plurality of dimples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Jean Yamanis, Justin R. Hawkes, Louis Chiappetta, JR., Connie E. Bird, Ellen Y. Sun, JR., Paul F. Croteau
  • Patent number: 8574782
    Abstract: An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Yamanis, Justin R. Hawkes, Louis Chiapetta, Jr., Connie E. Bird, Ellen Y. Sun, Paul F. Croteau
  • Patent number: 8556531
    Abstract: A simple ceramic matrix composite fastening system that is utilized for attaching components of dissimilar materials, particularly, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and metallic engine components. The system is comprised of a detachable subassembly bracket fabricated from metal. The bracket has a metallic engine component attached to one end and a CMC component attached to the other end. The bracket releasably secures the CMC and the metallic component together using rivets or pins, which are inserted into holes through the CMC to securely fasten the adjoining parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Connie E. Bird, Lisa A. Prill
  • Publication number: 20130251446
    Abstract: A simple ceramic matrix composite fastening system that is utilized for attaching components of dissimilar materials, particularly, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and metallic engine components. The system is comprised of a detachable subassembly bracket fabricated from metal. The bracket has a metallic engine component attached to one end and a CMC component attached to the other end. The bracket releasably secures the CMC and the metallic component together using rivets or pins, which are inserted into holes through the CMC to securely fasten the adjoining parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Connie E. Bird, Lisa A. Prill
  • Publication number: 20130055881
    Abstract: An armor panel includes a multiple of pins which penetrate a first skin, a high molecular weight polyethylene fiber composite material layer and a second skin which integrates ballistic protection into load bearing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Connie E. Bird, Alan R. Goodworth, Thomas A. Carstensen, Gary Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8124293
    Abstract: An interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a conductive structure having first portions defining a first contact zone, second portions defining a second contact zone which is spaced from the first contact zone, and intermediate portions extending between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portions are joined to the first portions through first corners, and wherein the intermediate portions are joined to the second portions through second corners, and wherein the first corners have a smaller radius than the second corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventors: Justin R. Hawkes, Connie E. Bird
  • Publication number: 20100248065
    Abstract: An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jean Yamanis, Justin Hawkes, Louis Chiappetta, JR., Connie E. Bird, Ellen Y. Sun, Paul F. Croteau
  • Publication number: 20100209800
    Abstract: An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Jean Yamanis, Justin R. Hawkes, Louis Chiapetta, JR., Connie E. Bird, Ellen Y. Sun, Paul F. Croteau
  • Publication number: 20100021791
    Abstract: An interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a conductive structure having first portions defining a first contact zone, second portions defining a second contact zone which is spaced from the first contact zone, and intermediate portions extending between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portions are joined to the first portions through first corners, and wherein the intermediate portions are joined to the second portions through second corners, and wherein the first corners have a smaller radius than the second corners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin R. Hawkes, Connie E. Bird
  • Publication number: 20080271595
    Abstract: An armor system with a lightweight armored panel manufactured as a multi-material structure having a multiple of layers including a hard ballistic material layer of a Ceramic/CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite) hybrid armor material capable of defeating ballistic threats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Connie E. Bird, John E. Holowczak